Michael DeFrank

Mike represents clients in the financial services industry in litigation involving claims for violation of state and federal consumer protection statutes. These include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and their state law counterparts. Mike regularly defends banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions and related companies.

Mike’s trial practice is focused on complex commercial litigation, including contract and business tort disputes. He has litigated cases for clients in federal and state courts throughout the country, including class action defense. Mike has tried jury and non-jury cases and as well as arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and other arbitration tribunals.

Mike also devotes a substantial portion of his practice to counseling clients on compliance with the FCRA, TCPA, TILA, FCBA, and other federal and state statutes. He has managed a number of sophisticated synthetic identity fraud investigations for clients.

American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Consumer Financial Services Committee

The Conference on Consumer Finance Law

American Bar Association, Litigation Section

Meritas, U.S. Leadership Committee Chair (2021-2024)

Meritas, Board Chair Nominating Committee (2023)

Meritas, Board of Directors (2017-2020)

Meritas, Member Engagement Committee (2017-2020)

J. Y. Joyner Foundation, Founder and Vice President (2015-2017)

North Carolina Bar Association, Litigation Section; Latino Affairs Committee Chair (2008-2010); Joint Diversity Task Force (2008-2010)

North Carolina State Bar

State Bar of Georgia

Wake Forest University

B.A.

Emory University

J.D.

Future Stars (2012-2022)

Benchmark Litigation